Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks during the fifth economic and trade forum between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China, Nov 24, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

SUZHOU, Jiangsu - China enjoys broad cooperation prospects with Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and should accelerate win-win cooperation, leaders from the two parties said Tuesday.

Trade between China and the 16 CEE countries exceeded 60 billion US dollars last year amid sluggish global economic growth with impressive growth in the past five years, indicating tremendous trade and investment potential, Li said while addressing the opening ceremony of the fifth economic and trade forum between China and CEE countries.

Stressing CEE countries could be centers of strength amid the economic slow-down in Europe, Austrian Prime Minister Orban Viktor called on China and Central and Eastern European countries to further develop potential and expand cooperation in new areas.

Li called for the acceleration of connectivity projects to link regional transportation and Internet infrastructure development with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

China is willing to invest in the construction and upgrade of infrastructure in port areas of the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea to boost cooperation and connectivity.

Polish President Andrzej Duda told the forum that the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative will bring benefits both to China and Central and Eastern European countries.